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In a landmark move for the cryptocurrency industry, Binance has announced a historic $2 billion investment from MGX, an Emirati state-owned investment corporation. This investment marks the “single largest investment” ever made in cryptocurrency and is also the first institutional investment for the world’s largest crypto exchange.
Both companies revealed in a joint press statement that the minority investment would be funded by stablecoins, making it the “largest investment ever” paid for in cryptocurrency. A stablecoin is a type of digital asset designed to maintain a stable value by being pegged to a fiat currency.
Binance stated that this transaction marks a significant step in advancing digital asset adoption and reinforcing blockchain technology’s role in global finance. With this $2 billion investment, MGX has acquired a minority stake in the crypto exchange, marking its entry into the blockchain and crypto world.
MGX’s Vision and Strategic Expansion
With a focus on artificial intelligence, Abu Dhabi established MGX last year to drive innovation in advanced technologies. Although the company launched a $30 billion AI fund in September, with partners including BlackRock and Microsoft, this investment in Binance represents its first venture into the blockchain and cryptocurrency sector.
MGX CEO and Managing Director Ahmed Yahia emphasized the firm’s long-term vision, stating:
“MGX aims to enable innovation at the intersection of AI, blockchain technology, and finance through its partnership with the premier industry player.”
He further added:
“MGX’s investment in Binance reflects our commitment to advancing blockchain’s transformative potential for digital finance. As institutional adoption accelerates, the need for secure, compliant, and scalable blockchain infrastructure and solutions has never been greater. Binance has long been a driving force in cryptocurrency innovation, from exchange technology and tokenization to staking and payments. Together, we are committed to building a more inclusive and robust digital finance ecosystem.”
Binance CEO Richard Teng also commented on the investment, calling it a significant milestone for both the crypto exchange and the broader cryptocurrency industry. He expressed optimism about the future of digital finance and the role Binance will play in shaping it. Teng stated:
“Binance remains committed to working with regulators worldwide to establish transparent, responsible, and forward-thinking policies for the crypto industry. Our ongoing investments in security and compliance reinforce our mission to foster a secure and trusted digital financial ecosystem.”
He further highlighted Binance’s vision to collaborate with MGX to build a more sustainable and inclusive digital finance ecosystem, with a strong emphasis on compliance, security, and user protection.
The UAE has been positioning itself as a global leader in technology and finance, with ambitions to become a regional crypto powerhouse. Binance’s partnership with MGX aligns with these goals, particularly as the exchange has faced regulatory scrutiny and enforcement actions in several regions over the past few years. Expanding its presence in the Middle East is a strategic move for Binance, further solidifying its foothold in a region that is increasingly embracing digital assets.
According to the press announcement, Binance employs around 1,000 people in the UAE out of its total worldwide workforce of approximately 5,000. The platform boasts more than 260 million registered users and a total trade volume exceeding $100 trillion.
Despite the historic nature of this investment, Binance’s native cryptocurrency, BNB, remained stable in response to the news. As of now, the cryptocurrency is trading at approximately $551, with a 24-hour trading volume of $1.75 billion.
